ODNR clinic a must for fishing on the ice - Youngstown Vindicator

Back in 1977, I drilled through 20 inches of ice over Mosquito Lake with a manual auger and quickly decided I had no desire to drill a second hole.

The winter of ’78 was early and frigid, but it produced some nice catches of walleyes. It also taught me a thing or two about ice fishing, lessons that resonated for years as I weighed the benefits of fresh air and tasty fish versus the risks and hard work associated with trudging across a frozen lake with a north wind whipping me in the face.

Ice fishing season is coming. It is a great sport, but it should be attempted only by people who are thoroughly prepared.

For those who are considering jigging up a few fish through local ice this winter, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is offering a free seminar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 25 at Mosquito Lake State Park Office on Ohio 305 in Bazetta Township. The workshop is free, but participants must reserve a spot by registering online. Go to wildohio.gov and click on “register online” to sign up.

I wish I had had such an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of ice fishing before the winter of 1977. Much of the knowledge I took out on my first few ice fishing trips was based on my own hunches. I was fortunate I had rock-solid ice underfoot, but little else went well until I gained experience.

The ODNR ice fishing class is certain to help anglers speed up their learning curve.

Experts from the Division of Wildlife and Division of Parks & Watercraft will teach planning, preparation, equipment, techniques and — most importantly — safety.

If conditions permit — that is, the ice has formed to a safe thickness — demonstrations and hands-on fishing opportunities will be available. Equipment will be provided. All participants age 16 or older must have a valid fishing license.

The class will no doubt give its graduates a head start toward the success that can be elusive for those who think they can figure it out on their own.

If you have yet to try ice fishing, don’t be like me. My first ever trip was a disaster even though I didn’t fall through the ice. I went out with inadequate footwear and — believe it or not — no auger. I had not learned the importance of boot cleats to provide traction and wrongly guessed I could borrow an auger from a friendly angler.

When I finally did get a hole through which I could drop my bait, I learned my rods were too long to fish effectively. My lures were ineffective in generating bites and because they spun wildly as I jigged them, they twisted the line into a kinky mess. Among my mistakes was the fact I had no skimmer to keep the hole clear of the ice that would quickly form with temperatures in the teens.

I went home fishless after my first ice-fishing trip. I was determined to learn, however, so I consulted with a few veteran anglers. I gradually got to the point where I could count on catching a few walleyes for dinner.

Beyond all the tips and tricks, however, is the fact that no ice is totally safe ice. Anglers need to be aware of the risks and how to avoid them as well as what kind of gear to pack for a day on the ice.

Safety information may seem common sense, but every year anglers fall through the ice or take nasty tumbles and suffer broken bones, separated shoulders and torn ligaments.

The ODNR seminar at Mosquito in a few weeks will be a great way to learn how to minimize risks and maximize fun for anglers new to ice fishing.

Jack Wollitz is a writer and angler who recommends no angler every take safety for granted when fishing. He also likes emails from readers. Send a note to Jack at jackbbaass@gmail.com.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"fish" - Google News
January 04, 2020 at 02:30PM
https://ift.tt/2MUlMVo

ODNR clinic a must for fishing on the ice - Youngstown Vindicator
"fish" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35JkYuc
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Bagikan Berita Ini